FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carli Smith
Director of Communications
c.smith@goed.nv.gov 775-684-9903
August 3, 2026
Carson City, Nev. –Nevada’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), Battle Born Growth, overseen by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) and operated by Nevada Battle Born Growth Escalator, Inc. (NBBGEI), enabled two nonprofit organizations to access more than two million dollars ($2,000,000.00) in financing through the Battle Born Growth Collateral Support Program and its lending partners.
“Nevada’s economic success depends on investing in organizations that strengthen our communities while creating opportunities for our residents,” said Governor Lombardo. “These partnerships demonstrate how public resources can unlock private investment to expand services, preserve jobs, and improve quality of life throughout Nevada.”
The loans provided by GenuBank and WaFd will enable the two nonprofit organizations to expand youth programming, workforce development, and recreation opportunities as part of the redevelopment of the historic Wildcreek Golf Course in Reno and the acquisition of a community services facility in Pahrump. Together, these projects strengthen essential community services in both Northern and Southern Nevada.
“While other federal programs that are supporting small businesses often exclude nonprofit organization, Nevada’s SSBCI Program Battle Born Growth can help eligible nonprofit organizations access the capital they need to complete transformational community projects,” said Karsten Heise, GOED’s senior director of strategic programs and innovation and SSBCI program manager.
The two projects include:
- SHM 721 Pahrump, LLC: Received financing to acquire an existing facility, allowing the organization to continue providing critical community services while retaining 44 jobs and creating 12 new positions. The $819,000 loan was backed by $327,600 in SSBCI collateral support.
- Northern Nevada Youth Golf Foundation / First Tee Northern Nevada: Received financing to complete the redevelopment of the historic Wildcreek Golf Course, expanding on youth programming, affordable recreation opportunities, workforce development initiatives and preserving a valued community asset serving Reno and Sparks. The $1.2 million loan was backed by $960,000 in SSBCI collateral support.
“Battle Born Growth helps small businesses and nonprofit organizations secure financing that might otherwise be out of reach,” said NBBGEI Chief Executive Officer Mendy Elliott. “By partnering with lenders across the state, Battle Born Growth is able to leverage federal resources to unlock private lending and investments to help impactful projects move forward.”
To learn more about Battle Born Growth, and the financing available, click here: www.nvsmallbiz.org.
###
About the Governor’s Office of Economic Development
Created during the 2011 session of the Nevada Legislature, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development is the result of a collaborative effort between the Nevada Legislature and the Governor’s Office to restructure economic development in the state. GOED’s role is to promote a robust, diversified and prosperous economy in Nevada, to stimulate business expansion and retention, encourage entrepreneurial enterprise, attract new businesses and facilitate community development.
About the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is a nearly $10 billion program to support small businesses and entrepreneurship in communities across the United States by providing capital and technical assistance to promote small business stability, growth, and success. SSBCI represents a transformational investment in American small businesses and is expected to catalyze up to $10 of private investment for every $1 of SSBCI Capital Program funding to increase access to capital to small businesses and entrepreneurs, including those in underserved communities. Nevada’s SSBCI Program, “Battle Born Growth,” is overseen by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).
Nevada Battle Born Growth Escalator, Inc. (NBBGEI)
A Nevada-based 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation created in 2016 by the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) to promote, aid and encourage economic development across the state. NBBGEI operates Nevada’s federal and State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program, under contract from GOED, to support high growth startups, small and medium-sized businesses, and underserved entrepreneurs.